My Simulation… Why Is It Turning into a Real Romance?!

Chapter 111 - V3 Chapter 7: What a Gorgeous Face

For once, Yamada Ryo's usual cool expression visibly cracked. A glint of surprise flickered in her pale golden eyes and Ikuyo Kita hadn't even recovered from Ryo's last comment when this new one hit.

Takamatsu?

Did she mean Takamatsu Tomori?

Tomori had visited STARRY once before, and everyone remembered her as a sweet girl with a somewhat heavy, dreamy vibe. Even back then, Ryo had picked up on a sense of threat from her.

It looked like that threat level needed to be raised.

But even raising her alertness wouldn't stop the girl from moving.

After all, Ryo didn't go to the same school as Haru, she couldn't keep watch all the time.

She stared into Haru's dark, deep-set eyes, and suddenly, a bold thought occurred to her.

Maybe it's time to just force things. Go full-on aggressive.

Kazami Haru, meanwhile, had no idea that beneath Ryo's blank, golden gaze, some truly dangerous thoughts were forming.

"U-Um..."

Bocchi realized everyone's attention had suddenly turned to her. The pressure was intense, she broke into a cold sweat.

She instantly regretted saying anything.

She'd only overheard Haru and Tomori talking when she was slumped over a desk, not on purpose!

She just happened to remember it when Ryo invited Haru, and the words slipped out without thinking.

"So he's meeting up with Tomori-chan, huh?"

Kita had still been clinging to a tiny bit of hope, but the moment she heard the name Takamatsu Tomori, she gave up immediately.

If it were her, then there was no helping it.

Haru doted on Tomori in a way that made it clear that if he ever made a promise to her, even if he got hit by a dump truck on the way, he'd crawl there to keep it.

Still, Kita felt a strange wave of relief.

It was lucky that Tomori didn't understand love or relationships. She was like a mascot—pure, dreamy, and oblivious.

If Tomori ever did like Haru and was even half as bold as Anon, then Kita wouldn't have a chance.

"Yeah... sorry about that. I promised I'd take Tomori to the planetarium tonight. Let's talk another time." Haru offered a polite apology to Ryo.

Even if she was a bit annoyed by being turned down, Ryo was far more interested in Tomori at the moment. That passive girl, when did she get gutsy enough to ask a boy out?!

This other band Haru was involved with... they weren't ordinary girls.

"Next time, then," Ryo said calmly, giving a small nod. There wasn't a trace of disappointment in her eyes.

After Haru's figure had vanished into the crowd, Ryo finally turned toward the slightly gloomy-looking Kita—who, along with Bocchi, was one of the few who knew the full story.

"Ikuyo, what's the name of Haru's other band?"

"Eh? Let me think... I think Anon-chan said it was something like 'ANON TOKYO'?"

Ryo blinked, then burst out laughing.

"What a weird name."

"Well, we're not exactly in a position to criticize, but yeah, that name is kinda..." Nijika trailed off, not sure how to even comment.

Was this how modern rock bands named themselves now, like it was all just some elaborate pun?

She felt out of the loop and that girl learning guitar from Haru, her name was Anon.

So this band was literally just named "ANON TOKYO."

Which, read backward, was basically Tokyo Anon.

Why not just call it zip tie? Would've sounded smoother!

"Looks like it's about time."

Kazami Haru raised his wrist and glanced at the clock face.

It was nearly 6 p.m., and the sky had dimmed to a dusky blue.

In the distance, the planetarium's sign flickered with soft purple neon lights like glowing butterflies. The stairs in the plaza were lit warmly with rows of amber-yellow bulbs, pushing back the encroaching night.

This was his first time going on a one-on-one date with a girl.

Even if it was innocent little Tomori, he couldn't help feeling nervous.

Ding!

A message popped up on his phone. Of course, it was from Tomori.

[I'm at the South Gate.]

"South Gate, huh..."

He mumbled under his breath and started walking briskly in that direction.

Just as he turned a corner, a young woman stepped out from the opposite side.

Haru's reflexes were quick, he stopped instantly. But the girl wasn't paying attention and couldn't avoid him in time.

Thump!

The brim of her black baseball cap jabbed right into his throat. From the impact, her cap slid off.

Golden blonde hair, silky and short, spilled out like sunlight across summer wheat. In the glow of the neon signs, it shimmered faintly. Her long, dark lashes trembled slightly.

"Careful."

Luckily, Haru had great "collision resistance" and had stopped just in time. He reached out instinctively, grabbing her hand to keep her from falling.

"S-Sorry... I wasn't paying attention."

The girl's face showed the weariness of someone overworked.

"It's my fault, I was in a bit of a rush just now."

"Here's your hat."

Haru bent down and picked up the black cap for her.

As he came closer, he finally saw her clearly.

Her violet eyes had a calm, serene depth to them. Her silver hoop earrings gave her a cool, mature aura, and her gently furrowed brows added a touch of softness to her stunning features.

What a gorgeous face.

The moment he saw her, Haru couldn't help but recall the first time he met Togawa Sakiko.

No wonder she wore such a big cap that hid half her face under its shadow. She probably did it to avoid attention.

And more importantly, something about her face felt... familiar.

He was sure he'd seen her somewhere before.

Still, Haru didn't overthink it. Even if she looked familiar, it had nothing to do with him now.

"Did you get hurt?"

"I'm fine. You're the one who got poked in the throat..."

She looked slightly worried, her brows still drawn in concern.

"If you're okay, then I'll get going."

Satisfied that she wasn't hurt, Haru turned and left without hesitation. The girl blinked, caught off guard as she watched him disappear down the street.

After all, Tomori was waiting at the South Gate. Making that sweet girl wait even one more second was a crime.

"That boy..."

The blonde girl stared at his retreating figure with a touch of confusion before carefully putting her cap back on.

She had been too careless.

Maybe it was because work had been overwhelming lately, she was always tired.

But even so, she forced herself to stay upbeat, and that emotional pressure had just kept piling up.

Just as she turned to continue walking toward the planetarium, she spotted a small object on the ground.

"...What's this?"

After crossing the plaza and jogging a bit, Kazami Haru finally found Takamatsu Tomori waiting in the corner near the South Gate.

She was curled up like a little penguin against the wall, anxiously checking her phone.

Her amber eyes were soft with concern, and she kept glancing nervously at the screen.

Her face showed hesitation, but also a fragile, unmistakable hope.

Good thing Haru had built up decent sprinting skills from chasing down fleeing guitarists.

If he'd made Tomori wait alone out here any longer, his conscience wouldn't survive it.

"...Haru!"

The second she saw him, Tomori's worried look melted into pure joy.

Her tiny steps pattered toward him, her eyes glowing with warmth, lips curled in a happy smile.

"Sorry for making you wait."

"No, I just got here too..."

Tomori gently shook her head, not a hint of complaint on her face.

"If anything... I'm just really happy that you were willing to come today, Haru."

She hugged the notebook in her arms tightly, a deep blue round hat perched on top of her silky gray hair.

Today, Takamatsu Tomori wore a black and navy dress with lace trim, paired with a jacket resembling a baseball-style top. A small butterfly-shaped ribbon was tied at her chest, adding an extra layer of charm to her already soft and adorable look.

Honestly, the moment Kazami Haru saw her, he almost lost it.

She actually dressed up so cutely just to hang out? Tomori, do you even realize how dangerously charming you are?

"...My mom picked out these clothes for me when she heard I was going out with a friend," Tomori murmured, nervously tugging at her sleeves.

"Does it look weird?"

There was a faint flicker of worry in her eyes. Though her mom always bought her lots of cute clothes, Tomori never felt they suited her, so she mostly stuck to school uniforms. Most of these outfits had only been worn once or twice, if at all.

"Let's get married."

Kazami Haru blurted out, completely deadpan.

"Eh?"

Tomori blinked in confusion. She hadn't quite caught what he said.

The crowd around them had started to thicken, and Haru's voice had been low. She thought she might've misheard something about... "roots"?

"Haru... what did you say just now?"

"It's nothing. I was just saying your outfit is really cute," he replied quickly, taking a deep breath.

He'd been so charmed by Tomori that the truth had almost slipped out.

"Also, the show's about to start. Let's head in."

Smiling softly, he reached out his right hand.

Tomori, still a little dazed, reached out and touched his palm. The moment their hands met, Haru gently took hold of her soft fingers and led her through the crowd toward the entrance of the planetarium.

Another hand-holding with Tomori, no way Rikki could beat this!

The planetarium was called "Evening Primrose".

Tomori had come here many times on her own before. But this time, coming with Haru made her visibly excited. Once inside, she even eagerly began introducing the venue and its features.

Because she liked him.

And when you like someone, you want them to like the things you love, too.

Haru chose a seat near the center. Tomori sat to his left. As the show was about to start, the lights dimmed completely.

He shifted slightly in his seat and accidentally brushed against a soft, pale hand.

"Sorry."

Haru pulled his hand back and apologized reflexively. When he looked up, he found himself staring into the eyes of a familiar blonde girl.

Those violet eyes held a glimmer of surprise.

She, too, seemed startled to run into Kazami Haru here and even more surprised to find herself seated right next to him.

If he hadn't looked so calm, she might've suspected he'd been following her.

Her name was Misumi Uika , the guitarist of the currently booming idol group sumimi.

Being tailed by reporters and paparazzi was a daily occurrence for an active idol like her.

"No worries."

Misumi smiled sweetly and replied softly, glancing curiously at Haru.

He didn't seem to realize he'd dropped something, but since the show had already begun, she decided not to disrupt the silence. She'd return it to him after the program ended.

"..."

Haru studied her face for a moment, then finally placed her.

Wait—that's Misumi Uika .

With how sumimi's popularity had exploded, her face had appeared on massive screens all across the city. Of course he recognized her now.

It was just that when he first saw her, his mind had been full of Tomori, so he hadn't processed it.

But now that he looked again, he remembered who she was.

A popular, current idol and yet he'd accidentally bumped into her twice in a single day, at different locations and times.

Is Japan really this small?

Still, even after realizing the girl beside him was Misumi Uika , Haru wasn't all that fazed.

After all, the most adorable girl in the world, Takamatsu Tomori, was sitting right next to him, what could compare?

Misumi only gave Haru a brief glance before preparing to turn away.

But then her eyes landed on the girl beside him—Takamatsu Tomori—and her gentle smile faltered just slightly.

[That girl...]

[Isn't she in Sakiko's band?]

Misumi had always had a sharp memory. Tomori's shy, animal-like demeanor had left an impression, so she quickly placed her.

Just seeing her brought Sakiko to mind.

Her childhood friend, whom she hadn't seen in so long, she wondered how she was doing now.

Meanwhile, Tomori hadn't noticed any of this. As she quietly gazed at the stars above, her phone suddenly buzzed.

It was a message from Shiina Taki.

[Taki: Tomori, are you there?]

[Taki: I have some questions about Haru Kazami. Do you have a moment?]

"Hmm..."

Tomori hesitated, glancing at her phone.

She was here with Haru, watching the stars. It wasn't the right time to be texting.

But since she'd already seen the message, she figured she should at least send a brief reply.

After a long pause, she began typing slowly:

[I'm with Haru right now, so I can't really talk.]